Stereogum Home

 

December 15, 2006

New Arcade Fire - "Intervention"

We've been sooo patient. Finally! So you might have heard that if you call 1-866-NEON-BIBLE ext. 7777 you can hear the studio version of the "new" Arcade Fire song "Intervention." But we realize a lot of you guys have shitty cellphones! And who really wants to hear pipe organ, glockenspiel, and Win's soaring quaver through a Blackberry speaker? So just pretend you're calling ... and then stream it on your high-quality laptop speakers by heading to BBC. You'll hear "Intervention" at 18:21 on Thursday's show. (Click the Play button ten times in the pop-up player.)

Strings and drama, sparks of friendship and love. Man Montreal must be fun! The track is from Arcade Fire's forthcoming Neon Bible. (John Kennedy Toole would be so proud!) Maybe 'cause it's about bigotry in the deep South? Maybe just 'cause it sounds cool. Either way, we're dying for it. Here's hoping it's love at first listen all over again.

Posted at 12:15 AM
Tags:




54 Comments

Hey, i've never posted before, arcade fire are the best band around. this song rocks and the old version is good too.

Posted by: Tony at 12/15/06 2:33 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Hey, i've never posted before, arcade fire are the best band around. this song rocks and the old version is good too.

Posted by: Tony at 12/15/06 2:33 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

It's good! What a relief

Posted by: Mark at 12/15/06 2:37 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

I've been freaking out in an entirely undignified manner for the last couple hours since I first got my hands on this.

I was hoping you guys'd have the actual version, not the same BBC rip I've got. OWELLZ.

This song's good enough that it almost makes me think my unreasonably high expectations for their next album aren't so unreasonably high.

Posted by: Alex at 12/15/06 2:39 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

I remember the earlier, (sparser) version they played last year on MBE:

http://media.switchpod.com/users/philharmonist/Intervention_(live).mp3

Posted by: Jeff at 12/15/06 2:57 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

i can not wait for the new album! jdhsfJKHsg

Posted by: erin at 12/15/06 3:15 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

cool sweet great. this is better than over the phone. good luck to everyone in the "$10,000 contest." that was bizarre.

Posted by: Kelly at 12/15/06 4:02 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

it's SILLY!!!

Posted by: elton at 12/15/06 6:15 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

wow love it

Posted by: rachel at 12/15/06 7:13 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Hottest record in the world today!


british people are so funny.

Posted by: me at 12/15/06 8:57 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

That's Zane Lowe and he's from New Zealand rather than Britain. His show has a section called "The Hottest Record in the World Today" which might go some way to explain why he says that. Maybe its still funny, I don't know.

Posted by: popscene at 12/15/06 9:04 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

That's Zane Lowe and he's from New Zealand rather than Britain. His show has a section called "The Hottest Record in the World Today" which might go some way to explain why he says that. Maybe its still funny, I don't know.

Posted by: popscene at 12/15/06 9:26 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

!!! THIS RULES

Posted by: nick at 12/15/06 10:13 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Bowie has that number on his speed dial

Posted by: matt at 12/15/06 11:04 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Amazing. Their new LP is going to be outstanding if this is any indication.

Posted by: jeff at 12/15/06 11:07 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Wow! That new Arcade Fire song is wonderful...I hope I live to hear that new record!

Posted by: Dayne at 12/15/06 11:35 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

can someone capture the zane lowe version?

Posted by: b at 12/15/06 11:45 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Does anyone notice that Win's voice is starting to sound startlingly similar to Bowie's?

Posted by: andrew at 12/15/06 12:31 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

did anyone download this before scott took the link down?
if so, sendspace it or something.
i downloaded it at home and now i am at work...

Posted by: jasun at 12/15/06 12:53 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

holy shit i have no idea where i've heard this song before.
but i DEFINATELY have.
weird.....

maybe i've heard a live version?
i don't know where
this is not a new song to me......

sounds good though :)

Posted by: ben at 12/15/06 2:22 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

You know, I got this really weird email today that seemed like spam, but had no links in it. It told me to call 1-866-NEON-BIBLE ext.7777. This makes a little more sense. The e-mail went a little something like this: You and her both are looking for NE0N BIB*LE; Revolutionary safe new Program really works. Count on Time to work it out--*wink* *wink*

1-866-NEON-BIBLE ext. 7777


how doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people how is she become as a widow she that was was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary she weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks: among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies.But Thou wouldst not deprive man of freedom and didst reject the offer, thinking, what is that freedom worth if obedience is

bought with bread? Thou didst reply that man lives not by bread alone.

But dost Thou know that for the sake of that earthly bread the spirit of the earth will rise up against Thee and will strive with

Thee and overcome Thee, and all will follow him, crying, "Who can

compare with this beast? He has given us fire from heaven!" Dost

Thou know that the ages will pass, and humanity will proclaim by the

lips of their sages that there is no crime, and therefore no sin;

there is only hunger? "Feed men, and then ask of them virtue!"

that's what they'll write on the banner, which they will raise against

Thee, and with which they will destroy Thy temple. Where Thy temple

stood will rise a new building; the terrible tower of Babel will be

built again, and though, like the one of old, it will not be finished,

yet Thou mightest have prevented that new tower and have cut short the

sufferings of men for a thousand years; for they will come back to

us after a thousand years of agony with their tower. They will seek us

again, hidden underground in the catacombs, for we shall be again

persecuted and tortured. They will find us and cry to us, "Feed us,

for those who have promised us fire from heaven haven't given it!" And

then we shall finish building their tower, for he finishes the

building who feeds them. And we alone shall feed them in Thy name,

declaring falsely that it is in Thy name. Oh, never, never can they

feed themselves without us! No science will give them bread so long as

they remain free. In the end they will lay their freedom at our

feet, and say to us, "Make us your slaves, but feed us." They will

understand themselves, at last, that freedom and bread enough for

all are inconceivable together, for never, never will they be able

to share between them! They will be convinced, too, that they can

never be free, for they are weak, vicious, worthless, and

rebellious. Thou didst promise them the bread of Heaven, but, I repeat

again, can it compare with earthly bread in the eyes of the weak, ever

sinful and ignoble race of man? And if for the sake of the bread of

Heaven thousands shall follow Thee, what is to become of the

millions and tens of thousands of millions of creatures who will not

have the strength to forego the earthly bread for the sake of the

heavenly? Or dost Thou care only for the tens of thousands of the

great and strong, while the millions, numerous as the sands of the

sea, who are weak but love Thee, must exist only for the sake of the

great and strong? No, we care for the weak too. Tell me LORD am I the


................................................................
This email should only be sent to those who have asked to receive it. To unsubscribe, return to the web form where you first subscribed and click the "unsubscribe" button, or contact the owner of the website.

Posted by: sug at 12/15/06 5:26 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

arcade fire rule...

very nice...

but, instead of bowie....i keep hearing ian...from echo & the bunnymen...

what do you think?

regardless, this new arcade fire is exciting....thanks!

Posted by: maya lucia at 12/15/06 5:42 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Is this a cover of the Madonna song (featured on American Life)?

Posted by: bigphil at 12/15/06 5:42 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

There was a radio session version of this song widely circulating like a year ago.
Different lyrics, though. And no organ.

Posted by: Craig at 12/15/06 6:15 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

did no one hear this song when they played it live on Morning Becomes Eclectic nearly 2 years ago? i mean, c'mon, i've had this one three ipods already. am i crazy? is anyone out there?

Posted by: mike at 12/15/06 10:26 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

did no one hear this song when they played it live on Morning Becomes Eclectic nearly 2 years ago? i mean, c'mon, i've had this one three ipods already. am i crazy? is anyone out there?

Posted by: mike at 12/15/06 10:27 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Yeah, of course people know about the Morning Becomes Eclectic version that's out there, but this version is different. Not only does the pipe organ change the song, but there is also the back story via Win's email that was posted on Pitchfork and other music sites regarding the recording of this particular song.

Posted by: withasigh at 12/15/06 11:08 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Wow Mike you are SOOOO COOl! You already heard this song before me? Wow can we hang out? You also have 3 ipods! You have got to be the coolest person in the whole world! I wish my friends were as cool as you. Wow dude

Posted by: Luc at 12/15/06 11:09 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Wow withasigh you are sooo cool you read Win's blog and have an appreciation for pipe organ!! Can we be friends? You are so knowledgeable and cool in my books

Posted by: Luc at 12/15/06 11:16 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

sounds like Win's balls finally dropped. Nice.

Posted by: max at 12/16/06 4:24 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

a slightly cleaner (no limey DJ) and somewhat better-sounding version can be found at:

http://rapidshare.com/files/7711327/intervention.mp3.html

Posted by: anna at 12/16/06 7:11 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

a slightly cleaner (no limey DJ) and somewhat better-sounding version can be found at:

http://rapidshare.com/files/7711327/intervention.mp3.html

Posted by: anna at 12/16/06 7:11 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Luc, if you want to be someone's friend, you really need to try not to come off as smothering them. Try acting a little more laid back and they'll be more likely to approach you and strike up a conversation or something. Try not to sound so desperate and you will be much more successful in making friends.

Posted by: nick at 12/16/06 8:52 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

NIck, you are soooo naive! I really should hang out with people like you, you don't perceive irony or sarcasm! You are kind of like a little child, I could learn alot from you

Posted by: Luc at 12/16/06 1:35 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

I dunno... I like the song, but i'm really conflicted about it. It almost seems to start too strong. The organ just is too much to start a song with. Maybe if they started with just acoustic guitar, then built to band, then added organ... It also doesn't seem to have any sort of resolution. It's good, but... Meh.

Posted by: Jarrett at 12/16/06 2:53 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

"Limey DJ"? That deserves a LOL. He's from New Zealand, Anna you spunkface.

Posted by: a. at 12/16/06 2:54 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

I had thought that there was no possible way the Arcade Fire could ever, ever make an album as good as Funeral. I mean, in my estimation, it's an album people will be talking about thirty years from now. So, as word had started to come out that they're releasing a new record, I was worried that this band, that truly means something, would release an okay record, disappoint me, you and everyone else you know, and worse yet, I think we'd remember this decade as one that spawned no timeless band, like Nirvana, U2, Springsteen, Beatles, Stones, Bowie, Joy Division, blah, blah, blah.

And then I heard Intervention. And it was, well, an Intervention. Like the whole band sat me down in a room to say, don't worry. We're here for you all.

So, here's a question: can someone explain how people make music this good, profound? And how can one band capture in music and words, this remarkably fucked up time we're living in right now?

Look. You might not like Arcade Fire. It's not your thing. I understand that. Music is about personal taste. But there are some things that transcend taste. Genius. History. Perfect inspiration.

Folks, we're listening to the band of a generation. Our generation. And nothing is more truly exciting.


Posted by: Jackson at 12/16/06 3:52 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

I had thought that there was no possible way the Arcade Fire could ever, ever make an album as good as Funeral. I mean, in my estimation, it's an album people will be talking about thirty years from now. So, as word had started to come out that they're releasing a new record, I was worried that this band, that truly means something, would release an okay record, disappoint me, you and everyone else you know, and worse yet, I think we'd remember this decade as one that spawned no timeless band, like Nirvana, U2, Springsteen, Beatles, Stones, Bowie, Joy Division, blah, blah, blah.

And then I heard Intervention. And it was, well, an Intervention. Like the whole band sat me down in a room to say, don't worry. We're here for you all.

So, here's a question: can someone explain how people make music this good, profound? And how can one band capture in music and words, this remarkably fucked up time we're living in right now?

Look. You might not like Arcade Fire. It's not your thing. I understand that. Music is about personal taste. But there are some things that transcend taste. Genius. History. Perfect inspiration.

Folks, we're listening to the band of a generation. Our generation. And nothing is more truly exciting.


Posted by: Jackson at 12/16/06 4:17 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Luc, oddly enough I was replying to a person that was trying to play up his explicit fandom by saying that he had known about the song on "three ipods already". I was trying to say that "yes, we are all on the same page with regards to this song" then add a little more about the context of the release of this new version. Moreover, your decision to mock me somehow is even more odd considering that the same could be written about any comment where one posters claims to have more knowledge or information than the other. "Oh, you think you know everything because you say you know more than that guy. You must think you're so cool." Well, this is certainly a poor basis for argument. Moreover, I think it's funny that when someone mocked your post with irony you came over the top claiming that they did not understand your "irony". I really how you were engaging in some sort of super-fantastic double-irony here, because otherwise...

Posted by: withasigh at 12/16/06 7:20 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

The Arcade Fire are really amazing and seems like they are going to prove it again in their next record. Rock on!

Posted by: Sylvain Bérubé at 12/16/06 11:01 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

funny thing is that jackson and i are trying to show the same sentiment. i haven't had three ipods as i wish i had the money to have. alas, the point i was trying to make is that it isn't a big deal that they released a new song. it's the point that the song is actually way older than some are led to believe. i'm not a huge fat either but i am a big fan of music which i was so surprised that so many people were gushing over the new revelation. sure, they are a good band but great bands are established over years not one record. hell, mercury rev even had deserters songs. ooooh, they added an organ to the song. i believe it sounds better in a less grandiose manner. i'll wait till i hear some really new work before i make any kind of judgement.

Posted by: mike at 12/17/06 4:12 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

I once new this guy who owned "Gatsby's Gaming Palace" in reno. It never caught on fire or anything, but it was like an arcade. and stuff.

Posted by: dylan at 12/17/06 2:16 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Well said Mike. Great bands happen over time. Also I think what you're saying about the early version of the song is interesting in another way. And yes, I'm almost hesitant to say that I heard this on MBE (what was it a year ago; they're all blending together these days), but I can handle the snarky "indie-snob-heard-it- when-they-played-it-live-saw-them-at-CMJ-ooh-you are so cool" comments. And while I prefer this version of the song (I'm a sucker for the grandiose, if it's not obvious from my previous, overly grandiose comments), I can't say I felt the other was in any way inferior. I mean, what makes a great song is the fact that it can be done with a fucking huge ass organ, or an acoustic guitar in a studio of a California radio station and it works. That to me is pretty rare these days.

Posted by: Jackson at 12/17/06 5:23 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

I love it, but I'm aching for a higher quality track

Posted by: dude at 12/17/06 8:24 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Montreal IS fun ;)

Posted by: Vero.b at 12/17/06 10:44 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

>>"Limey DJ"? That deserves a LOL. He's from New Zealand, Anna you spunkface.

...you're welcome, a., you spermburper. (and my profound apologies to offended Kiwis. jeebus.)

Posted by: anna at 12/18/06 12:41 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

IT ROCKSSSSSSSSSS

Posted by: SUNNY! at 12/18/06 8:07 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

The comment about the song starting off too strong, with the organ, resonates a little with me. However, my hunch is that whatever song immediately precedes Intervention will have the organ at the "outro", making for a very inspiring transition (akin to Haiti --> Rebellion (Lies)).

Posted by: JAYSON at 12/21/06 3:53 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

thanks for the download

Posted by: the real nick at 01/13/07 2:21 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

the arcade fire are middling musicans. funeral is everything short of special - for those that proclaim this album as the best rock has to offer, your taste is questionable, and i fear you haven't heard much in the way of good music. don't get me wrong - it's very catchy stuff, but it's nothing transgressive, nothing that hasn't been done before.

Posted by: jacques at 02/19/07 3:22 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

I disagree with the philistine above. The Arcade Fire is landmark for there sound and lyrics. Of course, there are other indie bands that are good, but do not hate b/c of your lack of knowledge.

Posted by: serge at 03/01/07 3:43 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

serge, delicately slip your fingers into your asshole, then bring them to your nostrils, and inhale your very essence.

Posted by: jacques at 03/01/07 3:48 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

that's really interesting

Posted by: Podcast Hosting at 09/03/07 4:55 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Leave a comment


Staff

  • Founder/Editor-In-Chief: Scott Lapatine
  • Executive Editor: Amrit Singh
  • Senior Writer: Brandon Stosuy

Info

Contact

Get Flash to see our mp3 player. Here are our mp3s: Cold Cave - Life Magazine (»)
Pants Yell! - Cold Hands (»)
Bill Quick - Take Me Away (»)
Fool's Gold - Surprise Hotel (Wallpaper's Mariah Mashup) (»)
Air - Sing Sang Sung (Black Moth Super Rainbow Remix) (»)
Avi Buffalo - What's In It For (»)
Vampire Weekend - Horchata (»)
Small Black - Kings Of Animals (»)
Max Tundra - Which Song (Passion Pit Remix) (»)
Cold Cave - Theme From Tomorrowland (»)
Tegan And Sara - Hell (»)
Jeff The Brotherhood - Bone Jam (»)
Mount Eerie - Wind's Dark Poem (»)
Tigercity - Fake Gold (»)
Yeasayer - Ambling Alp (»)
Drink Up Buttercup - Even Think (Andrew W.K. Remix) (»)
Florence And The Machine - You've Got The Love (The xx Remix) (»)
Cold Cave - The Laurels of Erotomania (»)
Jookabox - Phantom Don't Go (»)
Jookabox - You Cried Me (»)

Progress Report logo
Commercial Appeal logo
Premature Evaluation logo
Band to Watch logo
Quit Your Day Job logo
The Outsiders logo
The 'Gum Drop logo